PEI's Paid Sick Leave Program
Prince Edward Island made history in October 2024 by implementing one of Canada's first provincial paid sick leave programs. Here's how it works:
Paid Sick Days by Tenure
| Employment Duration | Paid Sick Days Per Year |
|---|---|
| 12 months | 1 paid sick day |
| 24 months | 2 paid sick days |
| 36+ months | 3 paid sick days |
In addition to paid days, PEI employees are entitled to 3 unpaid sick days per calendar year (after 3 months of employment).
How Paid Sick Days Work
- Hourly employees: Paid at their regular hourly rate for hours they would have worked
- Salaried employees: Receive their normal daily pay
- Accrual: Days reset each calendar year (no carry-over)
- No sick note required: For paid sick days, employers cannot require a medical certificate
When Can Your Employer Ask for a Sick Note?
PEI's Employment Standards Act allows employers to request medical documentation:
- For unpaid sick days: Employers may request reasonable evidence
- For absences exceeding 3 consecutive days: A medical certificate can be required
- For pattern absences: Repeated short absences may trigger a documentation request
- For paid sick days: Employers CANNOT require a medical certificate
PEI's Healthcare Reality
Despite being Canada's smallest province, PEI faces significant healthcare challenges:
- Approximately 30% of Islanders (over 45,000 people) are without a family doctor
- Charlottetown has limited walk-in options with 2-4 hour waits
- Summerside has even fewer options
- Rural PEI has virtually no walk-in access
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital ER is the only 24/7 option on the island
For a province of only 170,000 people, having 45,000 without a family doctor is extraordinary — it means nearly 1 in 3 Islanders can't easily access a physician.
PEI's Workforce
PEI's economy creates specific sick note needs:
- Tourism and hospitality — Seasonal workers at hotels, restaurants, and attractions (May-October)
- Agriculture — Potato farming and food processing (Cavendish Farms) with seasonal peaks
- Fisheries — Lobster, oyster, and mussel operations with weather-dependent schedules
- Government — Provincial and federal employees in Charlottetown
- Education — UPEI and Holland College students and staff
- Aerospace — Honeywell and StandardAero employ hundreds in Summerside and Charlottetown
Getting a Sick Note on PEI
MedLetter provides same-day sick notes for $49 from physicians registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of PEI (CPSPEI).
This is especially valuable on PEI because:
- 30% of Islanders don't have a family doctor
- Walk-in clinic options are extremely limited
- Rural Islanders may be 30-45 minutes from any clinic
- The $49 cost is often less than lost wages from a clinic visit
Key Takeaway
PEI's paid sick leave program is progressive, but the province's severe doctor shortage makes accessing documentation challenging. When you do need a sick note — for absences over 3 days, disability claims, or workplace accommodation — MedLetter provides fast, affordable access without the clinic wait.
Related: [PEI Sick Leave Rights](/blog/pei-sick-leave-rights-employment-standards-2026) | [Can Employer Require Sick Note PEI](/blog/can-employer-require-sick-note-pei) | [Sick Note Cost PEI 2026](/blog/sick-note-cost-pei-2026)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a sick note online in PEI?
Yes. Licensed physicians provide virtual consultations and issue valid sick notes for PEI residents.
Will my PEI employer accept an online sick note?
Yes. All PEI employers must accept sick notes from licensed physicians, whether issued in person or through virtual care.
How fast can I get a sick note in PEI?
Online services deliver most sick notes within 2-6 hours.
How many sick days do PEI employees get?
PEI provides 3 unpaid sick days per year under the Employment Standards Act after 3 months of employment.